It is time to return to the nave altar! This solid timber structure is designed with five Gothic arches across the front. We shall see that five banners can be hung behind these arches, creating beautiful displays. INDEX
62. ALTAR DETAILS
The altar has five gold crosses inserted at the corners and centre. The plaque at the end tells us that the altar was made and given as a thank offering by Gilbert Edward Underwood on the occasion of his marriage in 1915 to Beatrice Adelaide Moore. The little kneeler is very Scottish!
63. ALTAR
The altar displays green hangings in ‘ordinary time’, which is most of the year. The hangings are beautifully handcrafted, and make a wonderful display.
64. DETAILS OF THE GREEN HANGINGS
The outer panels display a central thistle flower, and on either side a sprig of wattle and a branch of flowering eucalypt. There are also four little birds including a willy wagtail and a kingfisher. The central panel shows the tree of life with luxuriant new leaves at the top. In between are two panels which show a chalice surrounded by grain and grapes.
65. RED HANGINGS
The liturgical colour red is used on Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Pentecost. Displayed here is the dove of the Holy Spirit, and a cross and crown.
66. PURPLE HANGINGS
The colour violet is used for Advent and Lent. At left is shown the crown of thorns and three nails – a reminder of the Crucifixion of Christ. At right is a Star of David – symbol of the royal lineage of David into which Christ was born.
67. WHITE PEACOCK
The liturgical colour white is used at Easter and Christmas. But why the peacock? Christians adopted the symbol of the peacock to represent immortality and so eternal life. This came from an ancient Greek legend that the flesh of the peafowl did not decay. It is also associated with the resurrection of Christ because it sheds its old feathers every year and grows newer, brighter ones each year.
68. PEACOCK DISPLAY
The peacock display is again beautifully crafted, and is a fine way for us to remember this lovely old Church. This completes our tour of the Church of St Margaret of Scotland.
CONCLUSION
I hope you have enjoyed visiting St Margaret’s Church with me. Is is an old church with many interesting features.
I am happy to receive constructive comments or corrections concerning this website. The best websites are the ones which have no errors! I am grateful to my wife Margie who came to Woodville with me, and who has proof-read these pages. I also wish to thank Debbie and the other Church ladies who were so helpful on the day of my visit.
The Church has its own website with link
The photographs which appear on this site can also be found in higher resolution at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulscottinfo/sets/
Paul Scott Site created 02 / 2016 Revised 03 / 2018 Reformatted 07 / 2022
